Even though I post a warning sign on the side of Mellow Yellow when camping "Caution: Occupant may be armed, naked, or both," I get a certain number of people wander into the campsite to inquire about my solar rig.* As anyone who has been reading these recent threads about solar can see, it's not as easy as hooking up a generator, donning earplugs and breathing gear, letting 'er rip and retiring inside the RV to watch TV. Explaining everything would take some time, time better spent contemplating how to lash a tablecloth down or something. So I'm preparing a little handout to give the curious folk. Maybe one or two will be able to use the information to go solar. It's mostly a description of our rig, with a little additional information about panels, wire, connectors, controller, batteries, as well as information about energy-efficient appliances and stuff. Jumping-off places for determining panel wattages and needed battery capacities -- simple stuff that's already been written up these past few days here. I want to find a simple low-voltage alarm to add, too. I built mine out of parts I found in the junk drawer here, so I'm no help. Does anyone know of a cheap and cheerful off-the-shelf alarm? *I'm not sure who was more embarrassed on the last trip when a nice gray-haired couple, looking like salt and pepper shakers, came into camp to find me standing, old white bare ass (and other bits) hanging out while I stood at the table kneading dough. They backed out fairly quickly, I dashed for a towel, and Mrs Squirrel seemed fairly scandalized. -- Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott 71 Type 2: the Wonderbus 84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana") 74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano KG6RCR |
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